Chuck mechanism



April 2z, 1952 H. c. JoHANsEN 1 2,594,028

CHUCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 4, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 r/5 .Imm

27 dit@ April 22, 1952 c. JoHANsEN 2,594,028

CHUCK MECHAN ISM Filed Jan. 4, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 22, 1952V H. c. JoHANsEN 2,594,028

CHUCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 4, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lfg. 2s 3132 24 3b 2o 34 33 30 h ,h III 35 l 1 m um n.: 27 27 E1 f' l 39 'I i n v I 'In| nu, mw 'Illu 'im I Ill im, 35 f 32 7 Julrmrlfd 2b Patented Apr. 22, 1952 CHUCK MECHANISM Harry C. Johansen, Michigan City, Ind., assigner to Joy Manufacturing Company, acorporaton oi Pennsylvania Application January 4, 1945, Serial No. 571,235

(Cl. 2li-249) l5 Claims.

This invention relates to chuck mechanisms and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved automatic chuck mechanism especially designed ior use with rotary drilling apparatus.

` An object of the present invention is to provide an improved chuck mechanism. Another object is to provide an improved automatic chuck mechanism adapted to move automatically into gripping position upon bodily movement in one direction relative to the article to be gripped and to move automatically into released position upon bodily movement in the opposite direction relative to such article. A further object is to provide an improved chuck mechanism having improved operating means. A still further object is to provide an improved automatic chuck mechanism associated with the feeding means of a rotary drilling apparatus and having improved operating means, whereby, upon feeding movement in one direction, the chuck mechanism is automatically applied,

and, upon feeding movement in the opposite di- I rection, the chuck mechanism is automatically released. Yet another object is to provide an improved chuck mechanism embodying movable chuck jaws and having improved supporting and operating means for the chuck jaws. Still another object is to provide an improved automatic chuck mechanism having improved means for manually moving and holding the chuck jaws out of gripping position. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

ln the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes ci illustration one form which the invent-ion may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. lis a View in vertical section, with parts side elevation, taken through a rotary drilling apparatus with which the improved chuck mechanism is associated and showing the chuck structure 'in detail.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of `the chuck mechanism shown in Fig.` l.

Fig. 3 is enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 ci Fig. 1, with parts broken away.

l is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on linee-fl of Fig. 3, showing the chuck jaws in gripping position.

5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially online 5*-*5 of Fig. 4l.

Fig. il is a horizontal sectional view taken substantialiy online E- of Fig. Il.

Fig. 'l is a horizontal sectional View taken $ubstantially on line "I-l of Fig. 4c.

Fig". 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, with parts in elevation, showing the chuck jaws in manually released position,

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, the improved automatic chuck mechanism, generally designated I, is shown associated with a rotary drilling apparatus, generally designated 2, which, for purposes of illustration, may be of the same general character as that disclosed in the H. I-l. Vanderzee Patent No. 2,309,999, granted February l2, 1943. It will be evident, however, that the improved chuck mechanism may be associ-- ated with various other types of apparatus.

The drilling apparatus 2 comprises a supporting frame structure 3 having mounted thereon par# allel upright hydraulic feed cylinders `4, 4, anda rotary table 5 is arranged between the feed cylinders near their lower ends. The feed cylinders contain reciprocable feed pistons 6 having their piston rods l extending upwardly through'the top packed heads `8 of the cylinders. The piston rods are secured at their upper ends to cross yokes 9, and connecting rods Iii extending longitudinally along the sides of the feed cylinders connect these cross yokes to a crosshead II, the latter `extend-"- ing between and slidably guided on the feed cylinders.` This sliding crosshead carries the automatic chuck mechanism I, as will later be explained. The rotary table 5 comprises a rotaryl member I2 j ournaled within bearings supported Within a casing I3 carried by the frame structure 3, and the rotary member I2 has a bushing I4 which vreceives slips I5 engageable with a conventional drill stem or kelly I6. This drill stem is preferably square in cross section, although it may obviously assume various other shapes, and the slips I Bare engageable with the iiatsides of the stem so that the latter may be rotated by the table as it moves axially through the table opening. The table driven by a bevel gear ll. Upon movement of the fee-:l pistons t within the feed cylinders in a direction to feed the drill stem toward the work, the chuck mechanism I., whose details will shortly be described. acts automatically to grip the drill stem, and, upon reverse movement of the feed pistons within the feed cylinders, the chuck mechanism is automatically released. When the chuck mechanism is relea`s^d and movedupwardly, the drill stem may be held against dov-inward movement through the `table either by the slips 0I" the table or by the cable of a conventionaldrill hoisting mechanism attached in a well-known manner to the 11loper end of the drill stem.

New referring morefspeciiieally to the lmf proved automatic chuck mechanisml, it will be 3 noted that a chuck casing 2li is mounted on the top of the sliding crosshead between the feed cylinders, in the manner shown in Fig. l, and is secured at 2| to a sleeve 22, the latter being journaled within suitable thrust bearings supported within the crosshead. The drill stem I5 passes centrally through this sleeve and through the chuck mechanism in the manner" shown. Threadedly secured at 23 to the top of the chuck casing is a rotatable member 24 having a center opening 25 for receiving the drill stem, and this member provides a closure at the top of the chuck casing. Disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the chuck casing are lateral ears 25 between which are arranged links 21 pivotally mounted at their lower ends on pins 23 which are supported by the casing ears 26. The upper ends of the links 21 are pivotally connected by pins 29 to the lower ends of pairs of parallel crossed links 30 and 3| herein arranged within a transverse chamber 32 in the chuck casing. The upper ends of the pairs of crossed links 35 and 3| are free to move a limited distance in a vertical direction relative to the casing when the member 24 is not screwed down by means of the threaded connection 23. The pair of parallel links 30 are arranged outside the parallel links 3|, and the pairs of links 30, 3| have pivotally connected thereto at their upper ends by pivot pins 33 and 34 respectively upper chuck jaws 35, and the pairs of links have pivotally connected thereto intermediate their ends by pivot pins 36 and 31 lower chuck jaws 38. The pairs of chuck jaws 35, 38 at each side of the casing are held inline with each other by means of vertical guide pins 38 having a sliding rit with openings 40 and 4| in the jaws. These guide pins have collars 42 which rest on surfaces formed on the lower jaws 38 in the manner shown. Fitted within bores 43 within the lower portion of the chuck casing are sleeves 44 on which sleevelike plungers 45 are guided, and,arranged within the sleeves 44 and engaging the plungers 45, are coil springs 45 for constantly urging the plungers upwardly into engagement with the lower surfaces of the lower jaws 38. These spring pressed plungers exert an upward pressure on the chuck jaws to hold the latter in contact with the drill stem when the chuck mechanism is in operation. The ro tatable member 24 has spaced radial openings 41 about its periphery for receiving a suitable turning bar, whereby the member 24 may be screwed downwardly with respect to the chuck casing into engagement with the upper surfaces of the upper jaws 35 for moving the chuck jaws from their gripping position, shown in Fig. 4, to their released non-gripping position, shown in Fig. 8, and for holding them released. The pivoted links 21 provide a floating pivotal mounting for the lower ends of the pairs of crossed links 3U, 3| to permit the chuck jaws to move bodily into and out of gripping engagement with the drill stem, with the guide pins 39 maintaining the upper and lower jaws in alinement during such in and out movement. The inner surfaces of the chuck jaws' 35, 38 are serratedY at 48 to afford adequate gripping of the drill stem. A dirt seal 49 is arranged between the chuck casing and a sleeve carried by the sliding crosshead for preventing access of dirt to the thrust bearings for the sleeve 22.

The general mode of operation of the improved chuckl mechanism is as follows: When the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 with ythe chuck jaws in gripping position and liquid under pressure is supplied to the upper ends of the feed cylinders 4, the feed pistons 6 are moved downwardly, thereby to move the crosshead I| downwardly along the feed cylinders, and the chuck jaws at that time are caused automatically to grip the drill stem or kelly I5, due to the powerful lever action, to effect feed of the drill stem through the rotary table 5. As the drill stern slides axially through the table bushing I4, it is rotated in a well-known manner by the slips l5 of the table 5. When liquid under pressure is supplied to the lower ends of the feed cylinders, the feed pistons are moved upwardly, thereby moving the crosshead l upwardly along the cylinders, and, when the .drill stem is adequately held against movement by the table slips or the cable of the hoisting mechanism, or even by its own weight, the chuck jaws are automatically released against the pressure exerted by the spring pressed plungers 45. When the feed pistons have been returned to the tops of the cylinders and it is again desired to feed the drill stem downwardly through the rotary table, liquid under pressure is again supplied to the upper ends of the cylinders, thereby to cause the feed pistons to move downwardly, and as the crosshead is moved downwardly along the cylinders, the chuck jaws automatically grip the drill stem to effect feed of the latter through the rotary table. As the chuck mechanism is moved bodily downwardly by the feeding means, the frictional contact of the jaws with the drill stem causes the links to swing upwardly a slight distance, while at the same time, the lower ends of the links move inwardly, and, as a result, the chuck jaws move into tight gripping Contact with the drill stem. Conversely, when the chuck mechanism is moved bodily upwardly by the feeding means, the links swing downwardly and outwardly causing the jaws to move apart out of gripping position. The chuck jaws may be manually released at will simply by turning the ro tatable member 24 to move the. chuck jaws downwardly from their gripping position, shown in Fig. 4, to their released position, shown in Fig. 8, against the pressure exerted by the spring pressed plungers. It may thus be noted that the pairs of crossed links provide a flexible pivotal mounting for the chuck jaws so that the chuck jaws are moved into gripping relation with the drill stem with a powerful leverageAv action, and, similarly, the chuck jaws may be readily released from their gripping position. As the pairs of crossed links are swung to effect movement of the chuck jaws, the floating link mountings at the lower ends of the links permit bodily movement of the jaws into and out of their gripping position, and the vertical guide pins maintain the pairs of upper and lower jaws in alinement during such movement.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved automatic chuck mechanism is provided which is automatically applied upon bodily movement in one direction and automatically released upon/bodily movement in the opposite direction. It will further be evident that, by the provision of the improved supporting structure for the chuck jaws and the particular jaw operating means, the chuck jaws eiectually grip the drill stern with a powerful leverage action and may be readily released as desired. By the provision of the improved manual operating means for the chuck jaws, the latter may be readily moved into their released non-gripping position and so held. Other modes of use and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

"While 'there is 1in fthis y'applil'zation Lspeciilcallfy :describedgdne form 'which "the 1invention"ni'enfa'ssume infpracti, it will beA understood `that 'this `orm of thesame lis shown Yfor purposes o'f `"illustration and `that the invention may be modified 'and embodid' in variousfother forms without ldei Jil/In` acfhuck mechanism, fa `chuck l'casing- ,through'wliich'a member to lbe gripped is adapted to extendend movable bodily in a 'direction axially `of the member, a'link pivotally mounted on saidlc'a'sing a `second link pivotally connected 'at erregend to said link and having its other end relaf tively i free, Tand 'said flrst 'link permitting pivotal and "bodily movements `of said second flink rela- 'tive-to said casing, relatively'movable chuck jaws carried "by :said second flink and respectively `arranged at opposite sides ofY the 'member to be gripped, 'and resilient means tending to swing and bodily move said second link in one "direction relative to .said jcasing 'to' hold yieldingly "said jaws inlight lfrictional 'contact with the member to be gripped, said jaws when so held in light frictional contact with `the member `to be `gripped and said casing as it is moved bodily axially relative to fthe membercausing'said 'second link Ato move pivotallyia'nd bodily to eiect movement 'of said 'jaws inwardly 'into firm gripping `engagement withthe member `thereby to connectthe latter to said casing for bodily axial movement therewith.

2. In 5a chuck mechanism, a chuck casing throughwhich amember `to be grippedis adapted f.

tov extend Vand 'movable 'bodily in adire'ction 'axia'lly ci. the member, a link pivotally Vmounted on said casing'a second `link pivotally `conr'iected `at one end to saidllink and'havin'g `its other endre'l ativelyfree, and said first linkpermitt'ingpiyotal 'and bodily movements 'of 'said vsecond link rela tive-to said casing, relatively movable Jehuckrj aws carried by said 'second link and respectively. arranged Tat opposite sides of the member 'to'be gripped; resilient'means tending to f'swing ,and bodily move said second linkin one vdirection reln ative to-"`said 'casing'to hold yieldingly "said .laws 'in light "friction'al `Contact with thefmemberto be "gripped, said jaws whenso held in 'light friction'al `contact with the member to be gripped and A"said casing 4as 'it 'is moved bodily axially relative to the `member lcausing said second link to move pivotally and bodily `'to'effect movement of said jawsinwardly into firm gripping engagement with the member thereby :to connect the latter to said r' casing -for bodily". axial movement therewith, and means `-for swinging and bodily moving said second link in the opposite direction relative to said casing against the *action of said resilient means to 'effect outward releaseof said jaws from the member gripped thereby, saidfrst link permitting such 'bodily movement 4of'said secondlink to permit jaw release upon `-such swinging of said 'second linkfinsaid opposite direction.

3. 'In a Vchuck mechanism, a chuck casing through which a member to vbe gripped 'is adapted to extend,` a pairA 'of crossed links vpivotally mounted on said casingat opposite. sides thereof and extending in opposite directions and crossing ata plane which includes the longitudinal center line offsa'd casing, a pair of `chuckjaiws carried by eachof said links `at opposite sides of the memj ber tobe gripped, guiding means `engaging said pairs of j aws `for `maintaining `the latter in proper vcenter line offsa'id casing'with-theiroppositefends relatively free, apair `of `relatively.movable `:chuck jawsicarried by each of Usaid crossed links fat op;- posite sides o'f` the fimember tovbegrlpped guid. ingtmea'ns "engaginglsaid 4pairsJo'f "jawsormaintaining the -latter in proper lposition to :grip the member to be grippeda's `said links :are 'swung on 'their pivotal .mountings, and means 'for'swinge ing isaid links 'in one direction vabout 'theirpivots relative Vto Isaid 'casing-.to fmove Isaid :pairs .Lof ia'ws inwardly toward each other 'in gripping." relation with the :member to bev-gripped, and -ysaid .iloat-` ing pivotal mountin'gsifo'r said links "permitting bodily movement of the latter relative to said casing during swinging 'of said links rto'p'ermit proper gripping'engagement of saidjaws with the member to be gripped.

5. In Aa chuck mechanism, a chuck casing. through which'a member to be grippedis adapted to extend, a pair "of crossed links pivotallyemounted at @the opposite 'sides of said casing Yand "ei:h`

tending` in `opposite directions and crossing atie plane which includes the longitudinal centei lino of said casing, apair'ofrelativelyrmovable ohudk jaws carriedby each link 'at opposite: 'sldeso' the member t'o be gripped, and'said`pal`s of jaws swinging 'of said links 'abouttheirpivots, guiding means engaging said jaws. for maintainingthe latter in propenposition to grip the member to be v4gripped as said links are swung, a-ndisprinfg. means Vior swinging said 'links'in one-direction about their pivots to hold yieldingly said aw's "iii-4 wardly in contact with the memberto be gripped; 6. In a vchuck mechanism, 'a chuck `casing through which a memberto'be gripped 'is adapted to extend; a'pair of crossed links pivotallymonte ed at the opposite sides of said caslngan'd ex; tending 'in opposite directions and orossingata plane which includes the longitudinal center line ofsaid casing, 'a pair `oi"relz'altively movable v`hnelt jaws vcarried 'by each link at oppositesides 'of the member to be gripped, andsa'id pairsfot' 'jaws moving inwardly toward gripping position upon swinging of said links about their pivots, guiding means engaging said pairs of `jaws for maintain'- ing the latter in `proper position to "grip the member to be gripped as said links are swung, and spring meansfor swinging said links fin one/*directionabout their pivots to vhold -yielding'lv `said jaws inwardly in contact with `then'ieinbei'Cto be gripped, said links being swingable about'theiipivots in the oppositefdirection against 'the aofi tionlof said Vspring means to move said jaws outwardly -from grippingrengagement with theme'me ber.

'7. In a chuck mechanism, a clni'ck 'casing through which a member to be gripped is adapted to extend, a link iivotallyl mounted at one side of saidcasing land extendingftoward the opposite side of said casing, a pair of relatively 'movable chuck jaws having pivotal connection Awith said position to grip the' member'as 'said links are 75 link at oppositefsides ofthemembei"-totbey gripped;

asesora saidflink selectivelyV swingable inV one direction about its pivot relative to said casing to move `said jaws inwardly toward each other to grip the member and in the opposite direction to move said jaws apart out of engagement with y'the member, and guiding means engaging said jaws and extending in a direction lengthwise of the member to be gripped for maintaining said jaws in proper gripping position parallel to a common straight line during movement thereof into and out of gripping relation with themember.

8.l In a chuck mechanism, a chuck casing through which a member to be gripped is adapted to extend, a pair of crossed links pivotally mounted on said casing at the opposite sides thereof and having their outer ends relatively free, a pair of relatively movable chuck jaws pivotally connected to each link at opposite sides of the member to be gripped, there being two upper and lower jaws at each 'side of .the casing, said links being swingable to move said jaws into and out of gripping position, and'guiding means engaging the two jaws'at'eachside of said casing for maintaining the` same in vertical alignment in proper position to grip the member during `such movement there;

Vof.v i

9. In a chuck mechanism, a chuck casing through which a member to be gripped is adapted to extend, a link pivotally`mounted on said casing at one side thereof and extending across said casing, a pair of relatively movable chuck jaws having pivotal connection with said link at opposite sides of the member to be gripped, said link selectively swingable at its pivot in one direction to move said jaws inwardly toward each otheifto grip the member to be gripped and in the lopposite direction to move said jaws apart out'A of engagement with the member, means engaging said jaws for guiding the latter to prevent rocking thereof to maintain said jaws in proper position to grip the member as said-link is swung, and spring means engaging `one of said jaws for constantly tending to swing said link in one direction, and said link swingable in the opposite direction against the-action of said spring means.

v 10'. In a chuck mechanism, a chuck casing through which a member to be gripped is adapted to extend, a link 'having al loose pivotal connection at one end with said casing at one side of the latter and extending across the casing with its other end relatively free,v said loose pivotal connection permitting bodilymovement ofsaid link as the latter is swung about its pivot, avg-pair of jaws having pivotal connection with said link at opposite sides of thefrnember to be gripped, said link swingable and bodily movable in'opposite directions to permit said jaws to move inwardly toward each other into gripping position and to move outwardly apart out oi gripping position, guidingY means engaging said jaws for .preventing rocking thereof to maintain said jaws` in proper position to grip themernberto be gripped during aforesaid movements thereof, and manually operable means on said casing and acting on the free end of said link for swinging the'latter about its pivot in adirection to move said jaws apart out of gripping position to eiiect release thereof from the member gripped there- 11. In a chuck mechanism, a chuckcasing through which a member to be gripped is adapted to extend, a pair of crossed links pivotallyy mounted on said casing at opposite sides thereof and extending in opposite directions across a planel which includes the longitudinal center line of the casing, a pair of chuck jaws carried by each link with a pair of jaws at each sidejof thev member to be gripped, said links swingable in one direction to move said pairs of jaws tor;

wards each other into gripping position and in the opposite direction to move -said pairs of jaws apart out of gripping position, guiding means engaging said pairs of jaws for maintaining the latter in proper position to grip the member as said links are swung as aforesaid, and manually operable means on said casing for swinging said links vin one direction to move said pairs of jaws apart out of their gripping position.

, l2. In a chuck mechanism, a chuck casing through which a member to be gripped is adapted `to extend,v a pair of crossed links pivotally mounted on said casing at opposite sides thereof and extending in opposite directions across said casing and crossing at a plane which includes the longitudinal center line of said casing, ma pair of relatively movable chuck jaws carried by each link with a pair of jaws at each `side of the member to be gripped, guiding means engaging said pairs of jaws for maintaining the latter -in proper position to grip the member, constantly acting means tending to swing said links in one direction to move said pairs of jaws inwardly toward each other into gripping j'pogsition, and manually operable means onv said casing for swinging said links inthe opposite direction against the action of said constantly acting means to move said pairs of jaws apart out of gripping positi0n. v v

13. In a drill stem chuck mechanism, a casing through which adrill stem is adapted to extend an-d movable bodily in. a direction axially of the drill stern, pairs of chuck jaws arranged in said casing with the jaws oi each pair disposed at opposite sides of the stern, oating pivotal mountings for said jaws on said casing at its opposite sides `including crossed links having pivotal and .bodily movements relative to said casing, said links extending in opposite directions across a plane which includes thelongitudinal center line ofthe casing and each linkcarrying a pair of jaws, guiding means engaging a pair of jaws at each side of the drill stem for maintaining said jaws in proper position to grip the stem, and. resilient means for swinging said links of said mountings in relatively opposite directions to move said jaws inwardly and yieldingly to holdI said 'jawsin light frictional contact `with the stem, said jaws when so positioned and `upon bodily movement of said casing relative tothe stem causingsaid links to swing about their pivotsrto 'move said jaws into firm gripping engagement with the stem. 'A i 14. In a drill stem chuck mechanism, a casing through which a drill stem is. adapted to extend and movable bodily axially relative tothe stem, pairs of upper and lower chuck jaws in said cas-Vv ing, a pair disposed at each side of the'stem, iioating pivotal mountings for said jaws at the opposite sides of said casing including a pair of crossed links havingv pivotal and bodily movements relative to said casing, said links extending in opposite directions across a plane which includes the longitudinal center line of saidV casing and each link carrying an upper jaw and a lower jaw,.=guiding means engaging said upper and lower jaws formaintaining. the same in proper positionv to grip the stem, and resilient means acting on the lower Vjaws to move said links both Vpivotally and bodili tocause said jaws yieldingly to engage the stem with a relatively light frictional contact, said jaws when so positioned and as said casing is moved bodily axially of the stem causing said links to swing and move bodily to move said jaws into rm gripping engagement with the stem.

15. In a drill stern chuck mechanism, a casing through which a drill stem is adapted to extend and movable bodily axially relative to the stem, pairs of upper and lower chuck jaws in said casing, a pair disposed at each side of the stem, floating pivotal mountings for said jaws at the opposite sides of said casing including a pair of crossed links having pivotal and bodily movements relative to said casing, said links extending in opposite directions across a, plane which includes the longitudinal center line of said casing and each link carrying an upper jaw and a lower jaw, guiding means engaging said upper and lower jaws for maintaining the same in proper position to grip the stem, resilient means acting on the lower jaws to move said links to cause said jaws yieldingly to engage the stem with a relatively light frictional contact, said jaws when in such light frictional contact with the stem and as said casing is moved bodily axially of the stem causing said links to swing thereby to move said jaws into firm gripping engagement with the stem, and adjustable means on said casing and acting on the upper jaws to move said links for releasing all of said jaws from the stem in opposition to said resilient means. HARRY C. JOHANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 146,869 Buoklin Jan. 27, 1874 605,855 Colborne June 21, 1898 673,605 Jacques May 7, 1901 675,047 MacGarvey et al. May 28, 1901 821,645 Johnson 1 May 29, 1906 998,248 Jahn July 18, 1911 1,049,725 Johnson Jan. 7, 1913 1,149,034 Despain Aug. 3, 1915 1,726,521 Davis Aug. 27, 1929 2,310,960 Johansen Feb. 16, 1943 

